The Reconciliation between Jews and Christians? (17 September 2015, 4 Tishrei 5776)

Article based on a talk (September 17th, 2015) given by Yair Davidiy at the

Note: The article below reflects the opinion of the author, Yair Davidiy. It is on the whole consistent with the views of certain Rabbinical authorities BUT on some points there may be other Rabbis who disagree.

Questions that arose in reaction to the above concerned the following subjects:

Reconciliation implies rectifying amity that once existed. Christians view themselves as having emerged from Judaism but having become detached from it. This is also how Christianity in the New Testament describes itself. For some the disengagement from Judaism was a welcome development but for others a disappointment. [There are however also those, such as some of the "Identity" and BIWF renegades, who deny that Jesus was ever Jewish in the modern sense.] Reconciliation therefore means both drawing closer to Judaism and having Jews be more accepting in attitude towards Christians. Things however are not that simple.

Attempts at Reconciliation mostly come from Christians. ===============================2. The Three Motives for Reconciliation.

We see the attempts of Christians at Reconciliation to emanate from three sources:

a. A desire to get closer to what may have been the original attention of the founders of Christianity. [Christianity depicts itself as originally Jewish then having accepted Gentiles and, after having become entirely Gentile, losing all trace of its Jewishness.]

b. An effort to bring Jews into Christianity or closer to it.

c. A desire by people of Israelite or Jewish religion to become more Hebraic without compromising their adherence to the Christian Messiah. In many cases the people concerned will not be aware of their ancestry but will be acting as they do because of it. In such cases Christianity served as a catalyst rather than as a cause. In our time the Lost Ten Tribes and others of Jewish descent are experiencing an instinctive arousal presaging an ultimate Reconciliation with Judah. We have here an attempt at reconciliation between Judah and Joseph under the guise of religious rapport.

Isaiah 11: 12 And He will lift up a standard for the nations And assemble the banished ones of Israel, And will gather the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth. 13 Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, And those who harass Judah will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, And Judah will not harass Ephraim. (NASB)

Ezekiel 37: 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations and no longer be divided into two kingdoms.

Jeremiah 31: 31 Behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

Regarding: (a) Returning to the Original Intention and Practices of Christianity: Christians may instruct themselves or have Jews serve as guides or instructors or they may not since from the point of view of Judaism involvements with Christians is problematic. (b) Missionizing Jews is an offense against God as explained below. (c) Prophecy says that Reconciliation between Judah and Joseph will take place. This is described as desirable. We should do what we can to reveal the Ancestral calling that is behind it. The people concerned should be made more aware of who they are and where their forefathers came from. This is where we can make a contribution by revealing relevant Biblical and Historical Truths. In addition to knowledge concerning their Israelite Ancestry Christians should be aware of additional points remarked on below. ===============================3. Jews CANNOT Become Christians!

According to the simple literal meaning of the Bible there is only ONE God and HE has no internal divisions.

or as otherwise translated:

Deuteronomy 6: 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord Alone.

Exodus 20: 1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 5: 6 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

The simple message is that the Israelites were commanded to believe in God and obey Him and Him Alone. This does not leave room for any person or thing to share in HIS Divinity.

Deuteronomy 18: 20 But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak, that prophet shall die. 21 You may say to yourself, 'How can we recognize a word that the Lord has not spoken?' 22 If a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord but the thing does not take place or prove true, it is a word that the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it.

Deuteronomy 17: 2 If there is found among you, in one of your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, and transgresses his covenant 3 by going to serve other gods and worshipping them, whether the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden, 4 and if it is reported to you or you hear of it, and you make a thorough inquiry, and the charge is proved true that such an abhorrent thing has occurred in Israel ... 7 The hands of the witnesses shall be the first raised against the person to execute the death penalty, and afterwards the hands of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

Deuteronomy 13: 6 If anyone secretly entices you, even if it is your brother, your father's son or your mother's son, or your own son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your most intimate friend, saying, 'Let us go and worship other gods, whom neither you nor your ancestors have known... 8 you must not yield to or heed any such persons. Show them no pity or compassion and do not shield them. 9 But you shall surely kill them... 10 Stone them to death for trying to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 11 Then all Israel shall hear and be afraid, and never again do any such wickedness. ===============================

4. Gentiles are Not Required to be Strictly Monotheistic.

We see, from the above, that Israelites are commanded to worship ONLY the ONE God of Israel

There are however forces in the world through which the Almighty governs the Universe.

Deuteronomy 4: 19 And when you look up to the heavens and see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, do not be led astray and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples everywhere under heaven. 20 But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron-smelter, out of Egypt, to become a people of his very own possession, as you are now.

It says above that the forces in question have been "allotted to all the peoples everywhere under heaven". BUT the Israelites are different.

So too, all the nations have angels of their own.

See Daniel 10:13 where the Prince of Persia refers to an angelic being opposed to Daniel.

Israel also had its angel: In Exodus 32:34, God says to Moses: "my angel shall go before thee." [Moses REFUSED to accept the intermediary of an angel in the governance of Israel, see below, Exodus 33:15-16].

cf. Psalm 91:11: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways" (Cf. Psalm 33:8 and 34:5).

Both Israel and the Gentiles have angels BUT again Israel is chosen and differentiated.

In Exodus 33 the Almighty declares HIS intention to send an angel before the Israelites. This however is not acceptable to Moses. Moses asks God Himself to go with Israel and that Israel should receive different treatment from other nations.

Exodus 33: 15 And he said to him, 'If your Presence will not go [with us], do not carry us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.'

This is what Israel is. Israel has received a MORE DIRECT connection to God than other peoples. This also incurs obligations and may become a liability, cf.

Amos 3: 2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. 3 Do two walk together unless they have made an appointment?.... 7 Surely the Lord God does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

Since the Lost Ten Tribes are in the religious sense not obligated by the Law for the time being in many ways they are not expected to be any different from the Gentiles. Since God is less close to the Gentiles than HE is to the Jews then less is expected of them. God allows them to worship HIM through intermediaries since in many cases their cultural development does not allow them more than that.

In common language the idea of One God may be too heavy for all Gentiles at the present time. They need some type of intermediary. The same applies to descendants of the Ten Tribes who in a spiritual sense are in the Captivity of Edom. See below.

Rabbi Moshe David Valle (1697-1777) Padua (Venice area), Italy is the authority we found to express the above viewpoints most concisely.http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14632-vali-valle-moses-david He wrote more than 250 years ago but most of his writings remained in manuscript form until recently. Apparently contradictory opinions concerning Christianity and related matters have been ascribed to Valle on the Web. We are basing ourselves on what we ourselves have read. In general, Rabbi Valle was AGAINST Christianity but recognized that it might have a task to play in the case of non-Jews.

The whole matter may be simplified as below:

The soul of Israel is close to God Almighty and may be considered as part of it on a relative scale.

Deuteronomy 4: 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him? 8 Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

The Non-Israelite nations have angelic beings as intermediaries between them and God.

Deuteronomy 4: 19 And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. 20 But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, from Egypt, to be a people for His own possession, as today.

The non-Israelite nations when they worship additional gods (apart from the Almighty) are not totally wrong. This reflects the reality in their case. They receive their vitality via intermediaries and therefore may have some measure of an excuse in approaching the Almighty through an intermediary. Whether or not the name or identity they ascribe to the intermediary is correct or not is another matter. This is not the situation with Israel.

Even so,The Jews outside the Land of Israel even when they worship God give strength, against their will, to the guardian spirit of the host nations. This is as if they worship idols.

Even so they are commanded to worship ONLY the God of Israel. By worshipping only God they are being true to their commandment and eventually cause the unimpeded influence of the ONE GOD to burst through into reality. [ See: Rabbi Moshe David Valle Devorim Tanina, VeEtchanan]. ===============================6. The Edomite Captivity of the Ten Tribes

The People of Israel are divided into two sections: The Jews headed by Judah. The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel headed by Joseph. The Ten Tribes have had their obligations as Jews in religion suspended temporarily. They are non-Israelites in the spiritual sense. They too are under the influence of secondary spiritual intermediaries. They are in the Exile of Edom. Edom is Christianity.

Esau the twin brother of Jacob (Israel) was also known as Edom. When the Assyrians exiled the Ten Tribes they turned them over to the forces of Edom.

Amos 1: 6 Thus says the Lord,For three transgressions of Gaza and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they deported an entire population To deliver it up to Edom.....

9 Thus says the Lord,For three transgressions of Tyre and for four... Because they delivered up an entire population to Edom .....

11 Thus says the Lord,For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, While he stifled his compassion; His anger also tore continually, And he maintained his fury forever.

Edomnites were present in enclaves throughout the Middle East, amongst the Phoeniicans, in Assyria, and in Uruartu. They directed the Assyrian transportation and re-settlement of Israelite captives. The Edomites took control of Europe and oversaw the initial movement of Israelites to the western parts of it. The Edomites had been especially dominant amongst the Ancient Romans and Germans but also were to be found in the ruling elements of most European nations, as well as having had a presence in other places. In the course of time the Israelite Captives in Europe physically feed themselves in part but spiritually they remained attached to the same Edomite complex. ===============================7. Edom and Christianity

Even amongst the early followers of the Christian Messiah there had been Edomites:

Mark 3: 7 and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and also from Judea, 8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea [i.e. Edom], and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came to Him.

Later Idumeans from the Edomite enclave of Idumea became Christians. So too, the Roman Empire under Constantine appropriated Christianity as the State Religion.

Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437-1508) On this matter the Ramban [Nachmanides] has already written regarding another point: The Edomites [of Idumea] neighbored the land of Israel. They were the first to receive the faith of Yeshu ha-Notsri. They had been circumcised since the days of Hyrcanius [the Hasmonean monarch, who imposed upon them a form of the Jewish religion in ca. 125 BCE]. They had always been in close contact with the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Consequently the apostles and disciples of Yeshu ha-Notsri when they fled from Jerusalem went to the Land of Edom. They induced the inhabitants to join their religion. After them came the Romans. They therefore were all called Edomites in honor of the first nation to receive their belief.

[The Abarbanel also quotes a source implying that whoever becomes a Christian will be exposed to Edomite influence.] Source: The Announcer of Salvation (Mashmia Yishua).Third Announcer, 7th Prophecy, p. 462 ff in year 5720 edition.

The Edomite exploitation of the Christian religion continued in the Holy Roman Empire (ruled by Germany) that technically had hegemony over all Europe. Both Rome and Germany were Edomite powers. Due to the Protestant Reformation the determinative influence of Rome was weakened but in many ways the influence of Edom was enhanced. Edomite control may be seen through the personality of Luther and the new philosophies that undermined the authority of Scripture. ===============================8. The Christian Messiah

The founder of Christianity was known as Jesus. Jewish sources speak of somebody named 'Yeshu' who is commonly identified with Jesus. A would-be Messiah named "Yeshu" have been executed on the eve of Passover in the reign of Alexander Yannai (103-76 BCE). This is well before the time of Jesus as given in the Christian Gospels. There may therefore have been more than one person later identified as Jesus? Whatever the case a group known as 'Notsrim' accepted the figure of Jesus as their ideal. The name 'Jesus' (in Hebrew 'Yeshu') is assumed to derive from the Hebrew, Yehoshua, i.e. Joshua. The Samaritans and perhaps others had revered Joshua for centuries. The Greeks substituted the name 'Iesous' for the Old Testament "Yehoshua." This is where our word 'Jesus' comes from. The name could also have pagan connotations. It is similar in sound to the Arabic pronunciation of the name Esau and to the names of certain pagan deities. Roberts says that IES was the Phoenician name for the agan god Bacchus and that this was changed to "Jesus". The first Christians were presumably Jewish but soon accepted Gentiles into their ranks and these became the majority. Amongst the early Christians were non-Jewish groups that were anti-Semitic. The idea of a god or a son of god who dies and is resurrected had been known for centuries throughout the Middle East. ===============================9. Pre-Christian Notsrim

A group known as 'Notsrim' accepted the figure of Jesus as their ideal. The name "Notsrim" was later explained as derived from the town of Nazareth [i.e. Nazeret]. Jesus was said to have grown up in Nazareth. Indications however are that the name "Notsrim" had previously, before the time of Christianity, been applied to followers of a semi-pagan cult whose hero had also died and been resurrected. Due to similarity in belief the early Christians may have been identified as a continuation of the earlier "Notsrim".In addition, archaeological evidence shows that pagan members of the Ten Tribes had been followers of a deity known as Natser. Here too, due to similarity in belief and name, the Ten Tribes who follow Christianity may have been referred to in Prophecy [see below] as "Notsrim".

Incidentally, Followers of Natser amongst non-Israelites may have evolved into the Alawis of Syria who were once also known as "Nasairis" or "Notsrim". According to Godbey the Alawis were identified by different authorities with either the Ten Tribes or the original Amorite Canaaanite people. It is claimed that they were originally Nordic in type.

===============================10. VERSES FROM ISAIAH IN THE HEBREW BIBLE THAT SUGGEST THE LOST TEN TRIBES TO BE PRACTICING CHRISTIANS.

Note: The association of the verses below to the practice of Christianity is based on speculation and does not have to be considered as any more than that.

Isaiah 66:17- Worshipping a crucified being (?). Ezekiel 8:14 Woman of Jerusalem weeping for the crucified god Tammuz - who is identical with Apollo whose mouse-eating worship is described in Isaiah 66:17. 2- Kings 17:9 The Ten Tribes were exiled for being religious innovators and idolaters, unto the tower of the "Notsrim" i.e. literally meaning "watchmen" but maybe hinting at Christian-like beliefs such as those maintained by the "Notsri" sect before the appearance of Christianity. Isaiah 45:20 seems to describe the exiled Israelites as carrying an idol of wood. Isaiah 49:6 Speaks of "Notsuri Israel" in apparent reference to the Lost Tribes.. Isaiah ch.65 mentions Israelite "Notsrim" in connection with swine-eaters, etc. see especially Isaiah 65:11: Arranging a table for god, wine for Mani, etc.

Jeremiah 31:6 speaks of "Notsrim rerturning from the Mountain of Ephraim. This may be referring to the Ten Tribes, see below.

==============================11. Christianity May be an Instrument of Divine Providence to Bring the Ten Tribes Back!

Regardless of its origins and its historical role in the past Christianity may have a positive role to play.

Isaiah in referring to the Ten Tribes mentions the "Natsuri Israel" [i.e. Notsrim of Israel] which could be literally understood to mean the Christians of Israel, cf.

Isaiah 49: 6 He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the Preserved Ones [Natsuri] of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.' [NASB]

so too,

Jeremiah (31:6) later again talks of "Notsrim" and in this case both the simple sense of the passage as well as the opinion of most major commentators (e.g. Yehonathan, Rashi, Radak, etc.) says that those spoken of are the exiled of Israel. Jeremiah predicts that these Lost Israelite "NoTSRim" (English: "watchmen") upon the mount of Ephraim,

"Shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God" (Jeremiah 31;6). The only Commentator who does not think that this verse refers to the returnees of Israel is Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437-1508) who interprets it differently. Even so, the opinion of Don Abarbanel is interesting since he also suggests that the word "Notsrim" used here refers to members of the Christian faith:

"The Prophet foresaw through Divine Inspiration that the Roman descendants of Edom would believe [in that faith] and therefore they would be called by name Notsrim".

Don Abarbanel therefore at least supports our opinion that the appellation "Notsrim" was used by the prophets as referring to the future Christians.

Experience shows that Christianity in some cases works as a catalyst to bring Christians closer to Hebrew attitudes whereas in others it has the opposite effect.

==============================12. Summary and Suggestions

Jews should not be exposed to Christian teachings. Christians should avoid missionizing to Jews. Christianity may be part of the Divine Plan and have a positive role to play in leading descendants of Israel back on the right track. Christians who are attracted to Jews and Judaism yet do not want to abandon Christianity should at least NOT try to change Jewish attitudes. Christians who are attracted to Jews and Judaism in many cases may be descended from Jews and/or Israelites. They should be aware of their probable Hebrew antecedents and direct their energies into clarifying the question of ancestry.

==============================

Questions that arose in reaction to the above concerned the following subjects:==============================

13.The Coming Messiah son of David

Nine Attributes of the Coming Messiah by Don Isaac Abarbanel. Don Isaac Abarbanel was a great Biblical Scholar as well as being a Chief Minister and advisor to the governments of Spain, Portugal, and Venice. In his commentary to Isaiah ch.11 Abarbanel enumerates different characteristics that the Messiah will require: 1. Descent from David (Isaiah 11:1). 2. The Gift of Prophecy (Isaiah 11:2-3). 3. Great Wisdom and Knowledge (Isaiah 11:2). 4. Perfect Self-Control. 5. An Enforcer of Justice and Righteousness. 6. A Performer of Miracles. 7. Establish an Era of Peace in the World. 8. An advisor to other peoples and a unifier of humanity. 9. An Ingather of the Exiles of Judah and of the Lost Ten Tribes.

Aryeh Kaplan ("A Handbook of Jewish Thought" vol.2, s.25.8) adds a few additional qualifications including the ability to determine what Tribe a person belongs to.

The Prophet Malachi says that in the last Days the Tribe of Levi will be purified (Malachi 3:2-3). Maimonides said that this refers to the Messianic Era when each Israelite (i.e. not only those from the Tribe of Levi) will be informed which Tribe they belongs to (Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, The Laws of Kings, ch. 12, no.3, cf. Talmud, Kiddushin 70;a ).

See Also Articles under the Category:

See Also:

Headings: The 14 Principle Aims of Biblical prediction are:

1. Divine Retribution That God will take revenge from those who harmed Israel. Cf. Isaiah 18:1. 2. Vengeance from Esau. That revenge be taken against Edom and "Batsra" e.g. Bosrah cf. Isaiah 34;6:3. The Salvation and Redemption of Israel and the ingathering of the exiles. Isaiah 11:11-12, See Also: Isaiah 18;1 26;1 35;2 40; 49;8 51;12 60;1 65;8 66;1 4. THE TEN TRIBES WILL RETURN. Isaiah 24: 14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing; For the majesty of the LORD They shall cry aloud from the sea. 15 Therefore glorify the LORD in the dawning light, The name of the LORD God of Israel in the Isles of the sea. 5. Coming out of Egypt as a Prototype6. There is a time limit after which Redemption has to come, deserved or not. If we merit redemption sooner we will obtain it. Isaiah 34: 8 For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion. 7. That the Redemption will occur a very long time after the Exile. Isaiah 49:14 8. The Return of Prophecy In the time of Redemption Divine Presence and Prophecy will once again be found amongst the Israelites. 9. Wayward Jews Return to Judaism10. Messiah son of David 11. No More Exile 12. Jerusalem will Teach the World 13. There will be universal peace. 14. Resurrection of the Dead

Isaiah 26: 19 Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead.

Isaiah 66: 10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, And be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; 11 That you may feed and be satisfied With the consolation of her bosom, That you may drink deeply and be delighted With the abundance of her glory.

See Also: Isaiah 24;1 49;13 60:10-11 Note: The Biblical Doctrine of the Resurrection of the dead is also learnt from other Biblical sources such as, [Daniel 12:2] AND MANY OF THEM THAT SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH SHALL AWAKE, SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SOME TO SHAME AND EVERLASTING CONTEMPT. Abarbanel understands Isaiah 24:1 and 49:13 to be also referring to this even though it is not explicitly stated as it is elsewhere in some of the other Prophets. cf. Ezekiel 37:4-10.=============================

14. Why Do Some of the Ultra-Orthodox Not Recognize the State of Israel?

The question relates to a minority amongst the Ultra-Orthodox. Extremist fringe elements of this minority occasionally receive much publicity in the general Media. Apart from that, an answer to the question needs to consider two different points:

(1) The Modern Zionist Movement has been infiltrated by anti-Religious anti-Jewish elements. In the past these were perhaps much more virulent than they now are but nevertheless they still exist. The Zionist establishment, media, government, and institutions and occasionally the Israeli Public at large at times takes an attitude which is prejudicial to the Jewish Religion. The Ultra-Orthodox on their part naturally react to this. Nevertherless despite the anti-religious attitudes sometimes adopted by portions of the Israeli public it needs to be emphasized that Outside of Israel the situation is MUCH WORSE: As bad as the State of Israel may sometimes be concerning the Jewish Religion living elsewhere is much more inimical to the Jewish Faith.

(2) In addition there exists an ideological concept that the time is not yet ripe for the Jews to return to their land and to have independence within it. This to our mind derives from a misunderstanding of the relevant sources. Nevertheless it should be a matter for internal Jewish discussion. Even concerning those who are against the State of Israel it is not so much the principle of Returning to the Land in itself but rather the timing of it.

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The "KHAZARS" were a semi-nomadic people who became prominent in southern Russia and its neighborhood in the 600s to 900s CE. They were quite powerful with a far-reaching influence and well-developed civilization.

The Blessings in the Bible given to the Children of Israel were epitomized most strongly in the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim dominates Britain and her daughters, Manasseh is pre-eminent in the USA.

Chosen People
The Ancient Celts and related peoples referred to themselves as Hebrews.The inhabitants of Britain pertained mainly to clans belonging to Joseph. The Jews need to believe in the God of Israel and keep the Torah.